History of Seneca County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, school, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of the Northwest territory; history of Ohio; statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc, Part 31

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1088


USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, school, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of the Northwest territory; history of Ohio; statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc > Part 31


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R. C. Young, Pro.


230


COMMISSIONER.


W. T. Histe, D 4152


E. Thoma, R. 3247


P. King, G. 104


W. Cook, Pro


238


RECORDER.


J. H. Bennehoff, D. 4112


R. A. Cole, R. 3415


John Heck, G .. 104


W. H. Schultz, Pro


253


INFIRMARY DIRECTOR.


Geo. Heplar, D .. 4222


Jacob Kemmet, R 3314


A. Horn, G .. 100


D. F. Hamilton, Pro. 249


CORONER.


E. Lepper, D. . . 4204


T. McManigal, R. 3269


J. M. Sparks, G .. 118


M. P. Croninger, Pro. 268


SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.


For 3017


Against


2877


ELECTIONS 1882.


SECRETARY OF STATE.


James W. Newman, D 4481


Chas. Townsend, R. 3391


George L. Hafer, G.


89


Ferd. Thomas, Pro


67


JUDGE SUPREME COURT.


John W. Okey, D 4465


John H. Doyle, R .. 3406


Lloyd G. Tuttle, G ..


89


John W. Rosenbrough, Pro.


67


CONGRESS.


Geo. E. Seney, D. 4661


Lovel B. Harris, R. 3189


John Seitz, G .. 104


H. C. Smith,


2


Martin Deal, Pro


40


JUDGE OF COMMON PLEAS.


Henry H. Dodge, D.


4548


Jacob F. Burkett, R.


3324


SHERIFF.


Thos. F. Whalen, D 3950


Amandus Betts, R.


3936


M. T. Lutz, G.


75


COMMISSIONER.


Daniel P. Lynch, D. 4285


Jacob R. Strandler, R


3617


Philip King, G.


80


INFIRMARY DIRECTORS.


William Kline, D., full term


4134


John L. Cross, R., full term.


3441


James Sanders, D., short term.


4423


James J. Patton, R., short term.


3403


Nicholas Lauer, short term.


91


Orville J. Fry, G., short term


92


ELECTIONS 18S3.


GOVERNOR.


Gec. Hoadly, D. 4910


J. B. Foraker, I 3677


Charles Jenkins, G ..


52


Ferd. Schumaker, Pro


113


TREASURER.


Peter Brady, D. 4919


John C. Brown, R 3665


John Seitz, G ..


58


John M. Whiton, Pro.


107


JUDGE OF COMMON PLEAS.


George F. Pendleton, D. 4864


L. M. Strong, R


3844


George R. Haynes, G ..


1


William H. Johnson, Pro


10


Conrad Myers


285


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.


SENATOR.


J. H. Williston, D 4929


Philip King, G. 68


Martin Deal, Pro 133


REPRESENTATIVE.


David J. Stalter, D.


4762


Rush Abbott, R .. 3796


W. H. Patterson, G. 45


A. T. McDonald, Pro


107


TREASURER.


John Heabler, D *.


4953


John B. Runyan, R. 3598


John Shannon, G.


68


Jesse B. Wagner, Pro.


105


COMMISSIONER.


Edward Childs, D.


4614


Levi Keller, R .. 3887


Edward Wagner, G. 43


Em. Strowman, Pro


89


SURVEYOR.


Sam. Nighswander, D.


4820


W. O. Bulger, R. 3682


Rud. Emerson, G.


47


D. Malloy, Pro.


128


INFIRMARY DIRECTOR.


Dan. Metzger, D.


4852


N. D. Egbert, R. 3691


David Betts, G ..


55


John D. Reed, Pro.


108


CORONER.


Edward Lepper, D.


5023


Geo. A. Blackwell, R 3642


W. H. Bare, G.


52


AMENDMENT.


For Prohibition majority.


972


First amendment,.


. yes, 757; no, 3905


Second admendment.


. yes, 3789; no, 3169


OCTOBER ELECTIONS 1884.


SECRETARY OF STATE.


James W. Newman, D. 5064


James S. Robinson, R. 3849


Evan Morris, Pro


110


Peter M. Herold, Nat.


47


SUPREME JUDGE.


Chas. D. Martin, D. 5051


Wm. W. Johnson, R .. 3878


John W. Rorebaugh, Pro.


110


James R. Grogan, Nat.


48


BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.


John H. Benfer, D.


5016


Charles A. Flickenger, R. 3889


Wm. J. Kirkendall, Pro.


121


Wm. B. Ogden, Nat ..


52


* Dr. Isaac Kagy was appointed treasurer, July 2, 1885, vice John Heabler, deceased.


JUDGE OF COMMON PLEAS.


Geo. F. Pendleton, D.


5016


Asher Cook, R.


4004


CONGRESS.


Geo. E. Seney, D.


5129


Dan'l Babst, R.


3770


Chris C. Nestlerode, Pro.


117


Geo. W. Vail, G.


50


PROBATE JUDGE.


Harrison Noble, D.


4931


John F. Sohn, R ..


3949


Henry Cromwell, Pro 127


JUDGES OF THIRD CIRCUIT.


John J. Moore, D.


5022


Thomas Beer, D


5019


Henry W. Seney, D. 5027


Jacob Scroggs, R.


3894


John A. Price, R.


3894


I. N. Alexander, R


3889


J. W. Timberlake, G.


35


John Z. Crutzer, G.


34


Robt. E. Parker, G.


35


PROSECUTING ATTORNEY.


Perry M. Adams, D


5051


A. Stackhouse, R. . .


3856


James R. Wilson, Pro.


116


COUNTY CLERK.


Jas. V. Magers, D ..


5050


Wm. H. Schuler, R.


3851


J. Truman Bever, Pro


123


A. B. Mcclellan.


3


AUDITOR.


Francis E. Stoner, D*


5051


W. H. Schlosser, R ..


3865


Ed. Bennuduffer, Pro.


124


SHERIFF.


Thos. F. Whalen, D.


5080


Frank M. Kelly, R


3835


John E. Snyder, Pro.


119


COMMISSIONER.


T. H. Bagby, D.


4572


Ed. F. Gray, R


4329


William Cook, Pro.


98


RECORDER.


John H. Bennehoff, D


5053


Ira E. Strong, R.


3870


Joseph Rhoad, Pro


108


INFIRMARY DIRECTOR.


James Sanders, D.


4968


Isaiah Kline, R .


3931


Peter Koffman Pro


126


The Democratic vote for secretary of State was 5,064, and the Republican vote, 3,849.


* J. A. Norton was appointed auditor in August, 1885, vice F. E. Stoner, who died, August 10, 1885.


16


286


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.


NOVEMBER ELECTION, 1884.


PRECINCTS.


DEM. VOTE.


REP. VOTE.


PEO- PLE'S TICKET


PROHI- BITION.


TOTAL.


Adams.


Green Spring.


42


95


1


138


Big Spring.


350


94


444


Bloom


234


239


8


16


497


Clinton


241


154


1


4


400


Eden ..


178


203


6


3


390


Hopewell.


222


155


5


382


Jackson, N.


54


157


5


216


Jackson, S.


70


65


Liberty


121


104


Bettsville.


90


191


11


4


296


Loudon .


198


95


1


294


Fostoria.


323


516


2


25


866


Pleasant


152


181


15


4


352


Reed


186


170


1


5


362


Scipio


230


232


4


12


478


Seneca


245


124


369


Thompson.


320


96


416


Venice


339


207


14


560


Tiffin, First Ward ..


202


165


4


6


377


66


Second Ward.


223


174


10


4


411


Third Ward ..


279


191


14


2


486


Fourth Ward.


196


152


3


1


352


Fifth Ward


298


133


7


4


442


4,950


4,004


88


117


9,159


James G. Blaine and Gen. Logan represented the Republicans; Grover Cleveland and Thomas Hendricks the Democrats; Benjamin F. Butler the People's ticket, and St. John the Prohibition ticket. Dr. Norton was delegate to the Democratic National Convention held at Chicago in 1884.


ELECTIONS, OCTOBER, 1885.


GOVERNOR.


J. B. Foraker, R. 3601


George Hoadly, D


4444


A. B. Leonard, P. . 253


G. W. Northrup, G. 83


LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR.


R. P. Kennedy, R. 3613


J. G. Warwick, D. 4445


STATE SENATOR.


John Hopley, R. 3609


-- Williston, D. 4447


C. C. Nestlerode, P 246


REPRESENTATIVE.


R. L. Knapp, R .. 3654


E. B. Hubbard, D 4369


J. W. Rhodes, P. 248


AUDITOR.


F. M. Hart, R. 3616


I. A. Norton, D 4357


J. W. Bonnell, P. 228


TREASURER.


J. M. Kaull, R. 3467


B. F. Myers, D. 4573


Harry Cromwell, P. 231


COMMISSIONER.


Levi Haines, R.


4537


Henry Hoeltzel. D. 3539


W. H. Norris, P.


200


INFIRMARY DIRECTOR.


Adam Kiefer, R. 3685


William Kline, D 4329


Peter Coffman, P.


228


CORONER.


Alja Bickford, R. 3604


Edward Lepper, D.


4431


Dr. A. Benham, P.


241


CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.


Yes. No.


Township officers.


6182 836


Section 2, Article 3. 6421


605


Section 1, Article 3. .


6407


597


Section 2, Article 10.


6414


577


157


111


3


271


135


225


The amendments related to the aboli- tion of the October Election System, a per- nicious custom coming down from olden times. The majority given by the State in favor of the amendments settled the doom of October's annual political sun-dance.


287


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.


COUNTY CONVENTIONS, 1885.


The Democratic convention assembled at Tiffin, August 22, 1885, when T. H. Bagby was chosen chairman, pro tem., and Kora F. Briggs, secretary; and the following committees appointed:


Credentials .- Adams, W. C. Shellhammer; Green Spring, A. McHasser; Big Spring, Jacob Bloom; Bloom, Henry Kirgis; Clinton, George Kegerreis; Eden, Joseph Walter; Hopewell. Henry Downey; Jackson (N. P.), Norh Rhinebolt; Jackson (S. P.), Christ Stahl; Liberty, Anson Anderson; Bettsville, (P.), Abram Kerchner; Loudon, S. Ricketts; Fostoria, C. C. Clark; Pleasant, William Shuman; Reed, Ed. Yale; Scipio, X. F. Charles; Seneca, Joseph Sailor; Thompson, Frank Matz; Venice, Jacob Ringle: First Ward, W. R. McFar- land; Second Ward, John B. Schwartz; Third Ward, Elias Bohler; Fourth Ward, Joseph P. Myers; Fifth Ward, Julius Keissling.


Resolutions .- Adams, Charles W. Coffman; Green Spring, John Joseph; Big Spring, H. C. Smith; Bloom, J. L. Hershberger; Clinton, T. L. Park; Eden, Samuel Koch; Hopewell, Milton Ricketts; Jackson (N. P.), Homer Noble; Jackson (S. P.), Daniel Parish; Liberty, W. Brown; Bettsville, C. O. Snyder; Loudon, T. J. Leahy; Fostoria, N. Burtscher; Pleasant, George Sechman; Reed, J. L. Lake; Scipio, Samuel Musselman; Seneca, Jacob Smith; Thomp- son, Joseph Dick; Venice, J. W. Walker; Tiffin, First Ward, Dr. Leon McCol- lum; Second Ward, Leonard J. Martin; Third Ward, Anthony Krupp; Fourth Ward, Jacob Scheiber; Fifth Ward, John Houck.


Permanent Organization .- Adams. Daniel Metzger; Green Spring, A. Mc- Hasser; Big Spring, Andrew Werley; Bloom, Jacob Klahr; Clinton, Columbus Harding; Eden, John Vorndran; Hopewell, S. M. Kime; Jackson (N. P.), Martin Murphy: Jackson (S. P.), J. E. Chilcoate; Liberty, A. C. Reice; Betts- ville, (P.), B. F. Seem; Loudon, John Rinebolt; Fostoria, George Yarger; Pleasant, Joseph Bauman: Reed, Hiram Hippler; Scipio, E. T. Stickney; Sen- eca, John L. Clark; Thompson, Charles Paine; Venice, A. B. Brant; First Ward, Frank Holmes: Second Ward, P. M. Adams; Third Ward, J. C. Royer; Fourth Ward, Harvey Platt; Fifth Ward, John W. Barrick.


Central Committee .- Adams, Daniel Metzger; Green Spring, John Joseph; Big Spring, B. G. Wullenschneider; Bloom, J. W. Snyder; Clinton, T. H. Bagby; Eden, G. A. Allen; Hopewell, L. D. Creeger; Jackson (N. P.), W. F. Myers; Jackson (S. P.), Joseph Shoup; Liberty, George Hoke; Bettsville, C. W. Harris; Loudon, George D. Acker; Fostoria, N. Burtscher; Pleasant, George Willow; Reed, J. W. Gambee; Scipio, Henry Mansfield; Seneca, Charles Nepper: Thompson, Alonzo Burman; Venice, F. H. Steigmeyer; Tiffin, First Ward, W. W. Keller; Second Ward, William H. Dore; Third Ward, Charles Baker; Fourth Ward, Louis Ulrich; Fifth Ward, Julius Keissling.


Congressman Seney was elected permanent chairman, the reports of com- mittees were received, and the convention proceeded to nominations. Dr. E. B. Howard was selected as representative; James A. Norton, auditor; Benjamin F. Myers, treasurer; Henry Holtzel, commissioner; William Kline, Infirmary director, and Edward Lepper, coroner.


The Prohibitionist convention, assembled at Tiffin, August 26, 1885. Harry Cromwell was chosen chairman, and H. G. Day, secretary. The convention was opened by prayer, by Rev. R. Rock, of Fostoria. The following commit- tees were appointed: Prohibition Work, J. W. Rhodes, chairman; Finance, Rev. A. Crabtree, chairman; Nominations, C. C. Nestlerode, chairman; Resolutions, Rev. R. Rock, chairman. The following county ticket was nominated: repre- sentative, James W. Rhoades; auditor, Jesse W. Bonnell; treasurer, Henry Cromwell; commissioner, William H. Norris; infirmary director, Peter Coff- man; coroner, A. Benham, M. D.


288


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.


The Republican county convention assembled August 29, 1885, when ex- Gov. Foster was elected chairman, and J. C. Rickenbaugh, secretary. The delegates were:


Adams .- R. B. Harris, D. C. Rule, A. Parmeter, A. Cole, William Zech-


man. Committeeman, R. B. Harris.


Clinton. - James Patterson, Norman D. Egbert, Lewis Clouser, D. M. Nei- kirk, John K. Rohn, James Stinchcomb, Lysander Reynolds, Edward H. Swander. Committeeman, James Patterson.


Eden .- Isaiah Kline, C. Y. Brundage, A. R. Fleet, James Brinkerhoff, I. R. Holmes, Adam Keifer, Horace Klaiss, James Patton, G. W. Kishler, I. L. Cross.


Liberty .- James Lott, B. Stackhouse, B. Struble, F. C. Miller, Scott Sheets, Upton Ash, Marion Feasel, Amandus Betts, H. Cromer, C. H. Zeis, Edward Chatman, George Hartsock, John Jones.


Pleasant .- O. P. Saine, J. R. Drown, J. H. Loose, W. W. Jones, Byron Rule, Ephraim Parker, J. R. McDonald, A. L. Shafer.


Scipio .- J. W. Stewart, W. S. Eastman, James H. Knapp, J. L. Anway, George Stearns, D. B. Crissel, B. F. Moore, E. F. Gray, Leon Smith, A. T. Jones.


Seneca. - Levi Haines, John M. Laughlin, William Sheldon, Daniel Reisz, Henry Davidson, Sr., S. P. Bemisderfer.


Tiffin-First Ward. - C. K. Walker, Dr. H. L. Wenner, John L. Lott, W. W. Sheibley, Charles Strauch, Henry Strouse, W. S. Cramer. Alternates, Harry Ford, Andrew Shriner.


Second Ward .- A. C. Baldwin, A. M. Campbell, George Transue, William Roland, Rush Abbott, George B. Stone, Jeff. Daywalt, J. F. Zeller. Com- mitteeman, George B. Stone.


Third Ward. - George Delauter, H. Housel, Charles Morlock, John Fan- ning, Joseph Secrist, James A. Sohn, Lewis Morlock. George M. Eidt.


Fourth Ward .- Levi Weirick, Daniel Seeholtz, R. A. Gray, William Clay. Ed. Jones, J. T. Sterner, John Helm.


Fifth Ward .- E. W. Stephenson, A. H. Pope, J. N. Williard, Philip Scheib, Jesse Sneath, H. S. Wenner, J. W. Myers, James S. Yerk. Com- mitteeman, E. W. Stephenson.


The nominations made were as follows: For representative, the names of Russell L. Knapp, of Tiffin; J. H. Loose, of Pleasant, and J. H. Brinkerhoff, of Eden, were announced. Mr. Knapp was nominated on the first ballot. For auditor, William Derr, of Clinton, and F. M. Hart, of Hopewell, were announced, and Mr. Hart nominated on the first ballot. For treasurer, John M. Kaull was nominated by acclamation. For commissioner, Levi Haines, of Seneca; William Ash, of Jackson; J. J. Cessna, of Liberty; W. H. A. Boyd, of Jackson, and S. B. Hossler, of Bloom, were presented. Mr. Haines was nominated on the second ballot. For infirmary director, Adam Kieffer, of Eden Township, was nominated on the second ballot. For coroner, Norman D. Egbert, of Clinton Township, was nominated by acclamation; he declined. when A. Bickford was selected. The county central committee (composed of one member from each ward and township) selected the following executive committee: J. C. Rickenbaugh, Tiffin; Dr. T. J. Livers, Tiffin; U. F. Cra- mer, Tiffin; George B. Stone, Tiffin; Dr. H. L. Wenner, Tiffin; Dr. William Harman, Attica, and A. M. Dildine, Fostoria. The executive committee or- ganized by electing J. C. Rickenbaugh chairman, and Judge U. F. Cramer secretary.


October Elections and Liquor Question .- All through the State, a movement


289


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.


among business and professional men has started, which has for its object, the abo- lition of the present system of electing State officers in October. Ohio is the only State that does so, and all classes vigorously ask that Ohio be put in the roll of November States, for the sake of peace and the business interests. The October State and November presidential elections of this year knocked the bottom out of business. Hand in hand with the movement, is one for the adoption of a registration law, in place of the present slipshod system. The Legislature has already, by joint resolution, resolved to amend Section 4 of Article X, relating to the election of township officers, and Articles II, III and X, so as to provide for the election of all State and county officers in November, instead of October. This question was decided affirmatively by the people in October, 1885.


Another, and perhaps the most interesting question before the people, is that known as the liquor question, or the Scott Law. A statement by the commissioner of internal revenue, shows that, at the close of April, 1830, the total number of liquor dealers in the State, as evidenced by the payment of the special tax, at the close of the tax year, April 30, 1883, was 15, 735, of which number, 15,399 paid the tax as dealers in all kinds of liquors, and 336 as exclusively in malt liquors. The Scott law was passed April 17, 1883, and took effect in the payment of the tax, June 20, 1883. From a statement fur- nished by the auditor of the State of Ohio, the number of the retail liquor dealers paying under the Scott law up to September, 1883, was 10,631. They paid a revenue of tax of $1, 785,509.85. This would show by the operation of the law, a reduction of the number of retail liquor dealers, of about 5,000. Four weeks later, in October, 1833, the crusade for the second amendment, and against the Scott law, was commenced in earnest and resulted in a Demo- cratic Legislature and supreme court.


At the close of April. 1884, there were 13, 218 liquor dealers paying special tax and on April 30, 1885, 14,920. The .Scott law was repealed April 14, 1884, but a part of it was re-enacted. In November, 1884, the majority of the State Supreme Court declared the tax unconstitutional, and soon the work of refunding the special liquor tax was commenced. The Supreme Court of Ohio, before whom the validity of the tax was brought, comprised Judges McIllvaine, Follett, Okey, Owens and Johnson, -two Republican and three Democratic judges.


CONCLUSION.


In this chapter a full effort has been made to deal intelligibly with political battles for the last half century. To this end all disquisition had to be avoided and a close adhesion to facts observed; therefore, he who expects to find the writer's opinions on the different parties and their platforms in this work, must be disappointed; for he who would be just in local history must not ex- press an opinion, particularly as the readers of such works are all able to form their judgment on the facts as presented. In connection with the chapter, it must, however, be said, that a great amount of labor and expense has been the result of former official carelessness in the matter of election records. Without the aid of the press, within and without Seneca County, it would be impossible for the State or county to supply the names and figures and party tickets given in these pages, and to the press, particularly to the Advertiser, the writer is principally indebted for the success which, he believes, marks this chapter.


290


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.


CHAPTER VI.


THE COURTS AND BAR.


A S man is the capital of nature, so does he afford to man a subject for deep inquiry. It has been understood throughout the ages that crime is hereditary. The gambler who placed his fortune at the small mercy of a die long centuries ago, may possibly be the ancestor of a notorious mountebank of the present time; and the creature whose passions led him to the crime of murder, while yet Cæsar ruled the Roman empire, may possibly have been the first of a race whose representatives disgraced every generation of the past and continue to stain the civilization of our time. Whatever faith may be placed in the hereditary theory of crime by the great majority of people, it seems to be approved by facts; demonstrations of passions transmitted from father to son are common, and therefore it is not a matter of surprise to learn that he who is convicted of a great crime followed in the very footsteps of some ancestor. Though the advance of civilization has materially retarded an indulgence in criminal acts, it has not stayed the workings of nature in regard to the fierce passions of man. They who in former times followed the voca- tions of their fathers, now seek out varying labors, and thus the tendency of intuitive viciousness is held in check, though it can never be wholly subdued.


Very few hereditary criminals join the fortunes of an early settlement; they come in after years, often with the best intentions. and for a time observe all the conventionalities of life; but afterward the ruling passion begins to re- assert its terrible superiority over the mind, and the result is crime, some- times insignificant. but generally monstrous and shocking.


To preserve the lives and properties of the people against the machinations of such men, the State promulgated her "statutes," or legal rules, which not only prescribed the penalties and punishments to be inflicted on transgressors. but also defined the manner in which the laws should be administered.


The people of Seneca put these laws in operation the moment they organ- ized the township of that name. The old justices. associate judges and chief justice were the centers of equity. The primitive appearance of the early courts, the desire to do justice, evident in the words and gestures of the judges, their genial dispositions, and the free and easy characteristics of the bench, bar and clients, made the administration of the laws, admirably dem- ocratic, fully suited to the requirements of the time, and capable of adjusting all discords that might creep into existence within the young county. Under the second order of affairs many cases of a serious character were present- ed to the courts. With the advance in population and knowledge new sources of discord became known-land disputes, boundary rights, even forgery and perjury became common, and the era of divorce was introduced. A few murders were perpetrated, one of which is treated on in the Indian Chapter, and other causes, calling for legal aid, sprang up, and as the court calendar extended itself, so also ambitions grew, and out of the evil came the good that gave to the county a large number of men learned in law and public economy.


291


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.


Men of that large profession, who can speak To every cause, and things indeed contraries, Till they are hoarse again, yet all be law; That with most quick agility can turn And return, make knots, and undo them, Give forked counsel, take provoking gold From either side and put it up.


The first robbery, and the first law case which occurred in Seneca County, was in 1821, when the Indian captive, William Spicer, was robbed of several thou- sand dollars. This Spicer had his cabin and stock farm on top of the plateau, on the west side, opposite the north end of the island in the Sandusky, and four miles south of the old military post. While alone in the cabin a carpenter from Fort Ball, named William Rollins, entered, told Spicer to give up his gold and silver, and then struck him to the floor. While in a semi-con- scious state, he heard Rollins laugh and address other men who joined him; but, on recovering. the robbers were gone and with them several thousand dollars in gold and silver. Louis Papineau was then constable, and he, assisted by Benjamin Barney and Caleb Rice, arrested Rollins, Butler, Case and Downing. brought those of them who did not escape to trial, and succeeded in having Rollins sentenced to eleven years in the penitentiary.


The history of the courts and bar of Seneca County may be said to begin with the settlement of Rudolphus Dickenson, at Fort Ball, in 1824, and the opening of the circuit court in Hedges' Building on Virgin Alley, April 12, the same year. During the short period which elapsed between the date of his settlement at Fort Ball and the opening of the circuit court, the cele- brated case of Spencer vs. Hedges, known to Judge Lane as the "Dam" case, was prepared by him. Judge Ebenezer Lane, Associate Judges William Cor- nell, Matthew Clark and Jacques Hulburt opened court on April 12; when Neal McGaffey was appointed clerk. Agreen Ingraham, who was elected sheriff a few days prior to April 12, opened court in regular form. The case of Spencer vs. Hedges was begun in September, 1824, the particulars of which are given in Vol. I, Court Records, now in Clerk Mager's office, at Tiffin.


The first case on record was that of Josiah Hedges vs. Jesse Spencer, tried in chancery before Judge Ebenezer Lane, September 21, 1824, on a bill filed May 3, 1824, in the clerk's office. R. Dickenson, for the defendant, filed his demurrer, denying the sufficiency of the plaintiff's case as well as the authority of the court. In April, 1825, the plaintiff withdrew the suit and the defend- ant was empowered to recover costs.


The next entry is made May 1, 1826, in the case of Thomas Butler vs. Josiah Hedges and Jesse Spencer: the plaintiff being represented by C. Boult, and O. Parish and R. Dickenson for defendants. In June, 1826, the case was still before the courts, A. Coffinberry, representing Hedges, and continued to May, 1827, and the demurrer sustained. In November, 1827, Ebenezer Lane, Jacques Hulburt, William Cornell and Matthew Clark presided. In March, of that year, the case of Spencer rs. McNeal was concluded, the complaint being that the former left a note of about $150 value on the counter of the latter, which was taken posession of by McNeal, and that he delivered to him, by mistake, another note of $900, both of which McNeal refused accounting for. A. Coffinberry was for plaintiff and Dickenson for McNeal. The bill was dismissed with costs, it being apparent to the court that the defendant had settled such notes. This was followed by the case of Spencer rs. Dicken- son; A. Coffinbery for plaintiff, and O. Parish for defendant. The defeat which waited upon Spencer was disastrous.


In November, 1828, Dickenson & Rawson, representing Abraham and


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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.


Isaac Van Meter, appeared before Judge Lane and associates against Isaac Brandt, and stated that the plaintiffs were tenants in common with the three Brandts in 1,000 acres, known as the Van Meter Tract, granted to John Van Meter, deceased, and his wife's three brothers, the Brandts, by the treaty of September 29, 1817, and by that of St. Mary's, in 1818; also that Abram, son of John Van Meter resides at Fayette, Ind., and Isaac in Belmont County, Ohio, and the three Brandts on the original grant. The bill prayed for a partition of the reservation. The bill was filed in 1827, continued by their attorneys C. L. Boalt and O. Parish, and dismissed with costs, in November, 1828, by request of Van Meter's attorneys, on account of informality.


In November, 1828. the case of Merritt Goodyear vs. Charles Fitch and his children A. Goodyear and James F. Goodyear, arose out of one of those pecul- iar family quarrels which are bred by strong drink. Dickenson & Rawson appeared for the father. Owing to the absence of the children in New York State the case was continued to November, 1829, when the conditional deed given, pending the reformation of Merritt Goodyear, was declared invalid, and a deed ordered to be executed by Charles B. Fitch, guardian of Goodyear's children, to the reformed father for the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 15, Town 2 north, Range 15 east.




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